Blog
Our blog features articles on events, projects, programs, and people in The Crucible’s community. To stay up to date, subscribe to our weekly enewsletter and follow us on social media! We are the most active on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Give A Warm Welcome To Our 2019 New Fuego Leaders
This year, in honor of Fuego’s tenth anniversary, we have expanded the program to be four weeks long, where both years work and learn together....
The Crucible and Adam Savage Forge The Best Excalibur
Last Thursday, Forging Excalibur premiered on Discovery Channel, where Adam Savage and Bladesmithing instructor Jeff Pringle forge King Arthur's sword Excalibur from a meteorite in...
Inspiration Awaits—Sneak A Peek Of The New Catalog
The Crucible’s 2019 Volume 3 catalog is hot off the presses and due to land in your mailbox in just a couple days. Here is your sneak peek at all of our classes running from...
Don’t Miss The Magic of 2019 Summer Camps: The Best Photos
Last week was the first week of The Crucible's Youth Summer Camps and we saw astronauts, noise machines, rainbow glass mushrooms, and more walk out of our studios at the end of...
One 11-Year-Old Is Made Complete In Clay Critters
Erick Dawkins first came to The Crucible on a fourth-grade field trip and has now taken four classes, finding accomplishment making with his hands....
After These Photos, You Will Be At The Next Iron Pour
On Friday night, our Foundry Department came together for The Crucible’s 20th Anniversary Iron Pour, casting over 1000 pounds of molten iron into a variety of ceramic shell and...
Your Most Creative Vacation, Down To The Minute
Take the week off this summer and immerse yourself in a creative practice for one week! Take the creative vacation of your dreams, and spend a week at The Crucible, exploring new...
How She Built a Sanctuary for Ceramics at The Crucible
For the past twenty years, Rosa Dorantes has been dedicated to sharing her knowledge of ceramics. An Oakland-native who found The Crucible just over one year ago, Rosa has...
Your Guide To The Best Summer Ever: Youth Edition
Youth summer camp registration is open, and we chose our top camp picks so you can plan the best summer ever!...
3 Oakland Siblings Have The Best Spring Break Ever For Free
Meet Kasa Du, Ku Rah, and Hla Dah! Originally from Burma, these three siblings moved to Oakland eight years ago, and participated in The Crucible's youth camps completely free....
How Ready Are You For The Crucible’s Spring Open House?
Join us on Saturday, March 30 from 12-5pm for a free day of art, community, performances, demonstrations, and more at our Crucible Open House!...
How To Cast Jewelry In 7 Steps
The possibilities of what you can create with wax, fire, and molten metal are endless. Casting jewelry and sculptures from wax makes it easy to capture fine details in your piece,...
Free Art Camps For Oakland Youth This Spring
During Spring Break, The Crucible is running six different three-day classes completely free, specifically for Oakland youth, ages 12-15, who are interested in the fine and...
David Page Puts It All On The Table
Woodworking instructor David Page notoriously breaks hearts by turning down commissions, reserving custom work strictly for friends and family. Lucky for us, David is family! Read...
Art Is On Fire In A New Series At The Crucible
We are open sourcing our knowledge of fire arts with a six-part series of fire performance, safety, and effects that will run throughout 2019 and beyond. In the Fire Series, you...
Top Class Picks: Your Guide To 20+ New Classes and More
Class registration is now open! We added over twenty brand new courses to our shop to celebrate our 20th Anniversary, in addition to some of our rare, favorite classes....
For 11 Years, She Has Welcomed In The Neighborhood
An Oakland native, living just blocks from The Crucible, Ledora Hightower has directly facilitated scholarships for our neighborhood youth, adults, local seniors, and more....
Thank You For an Amazing 2018!
As we go into our 20th year, we want to look back at 2018–a record breaking year on many accounts–and give thanks for the incredible support we have been given from donors like you...
GIFTY 2018: Here Are Our Favorite Photos
We hope you had as much fun at GIFTY as we did! With 69 local vendors, prizes, hot drinks, delicious food, fiery demos, record-breaking attendance, and more, this was a weekend to...
Vendor Spotlight: What Do Octopi and Pottery Have to Do With GIFTY?
Meet Maia Danks, the artist behind Octopus Ceramics. After growing up taking classes at The Crucible, Maia became the youngest artist to ever vend at GIFTY. We sat down with Maia...
How One Devoted Volunteer Gives Back to Donors
Every year, volunteers in our Foundry Department donate their time to make the donor plaques. In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we met up with Irina to see how she makes the...
How Well Do You Really Know The Crucible?
Do you know why the Oakland Fire Department raided The Crucible in 2010? Or, which politician broke a flaming bottle of champagne over an anvil at The Crucible? Take this quiz to...
How to Smelt Iron: The 6 Steps to Iron Smelting | The Crucible
Last weekend, our community came together to smelt twenty-five pounds of iron in a bloomery furnace that they built together at The Crucible. Every aspect of the smelt was a team...
The Crucible Expands Its Board, Furthers Its Mission
The Crucible is pleased to welcome three new members to our Board of Directors – Alexander Zwissler, Amanda Lacau Noguera, and Annie Campbell Washington. These active community...
Crucible’s Free Field Trips For Oakland Youth Are The Best Day
Over 300 students visited The Crucible on Thursday for an interactive, educational, and inspiring field trip! Crucible faculty, feeling inspired by Halloween, delved into spooky...
Breaking Down The Butt Solder In The Jewelry Department
In order to make a ring from a sheet of silver, you have to learn to solder a butt joint. Watch Jewelry Department co-head Rikki Smeltzer demonstrates how to do it properly!...
Homemade At The Crucible: From 3D Printers to Cheesecakes
From setting up 3D printers, to baking the entire Crucible staff cheesecake, Aaron stays busy volunteering at The Crucible! We sat down with him to talk about how The Crucible has...
Which Welding Class Should I Take?
Want to take a Welding class but feel overwhelmed with the different choices? Take this short quiz to match your needs with your class....
Top Class Picks: Your Guide To 2019 Class Registration
196 classes are now open for public registration, from old favorites to brand new classes. We broke down some of our top picks to ensure your registration is smooth and successful!...
The Spookiest Art That Will Make You Scream
October is here, and our studios are alive with the spook. If you are ready to embrace your supernatural side, we have the inspiration for you! From ghastly glass ghosts to playful...
Job Opportunity: Director of Development
We have begun our search for a new Director of Development! The Director of Development is responsible for preparation and successful implementation of fundraising strategies to...
I Am The Crucible: Rikki Smeltzer
We sat down with Rikki to learn about his Native American roots and how he became the co-head of our Jewelry Department after living in Oklahoma, working as a chef, and studying...
20 Shades of Grey: Paint in the Third Dimension
What does The Crucible have that most other art schools in America do not? There are countless things that come to mind, but one that stands out is Grisaille Enameling - a unique...
Our Favorite Photos From The Fire And Water Open House
Our studios are still buzzing from Saturday’s Fire and Water Open House! We had over 1,000 attendees, and our expert faculty gave demonstrations all day. From molten bronze poured...
2017 Youth Impact Report – What A Fantastic Year!
In a time when expressing creativity as an act of resistance and learning STEAM skills are both critical to thrive, The Crucible’s youth programs are an ever more essential part of...
Lie-Nielsen Toolworks Hand Tool Event
Blog, Events, Tools to TableFriday, September 7, 2018 • 10am-6pm Saturday, September 8, 2018 • 10am-5pm We are hosting a free community event with Lie Nielsen Toolworks, showcasing their top-notch woodworking hand tools. Come see how quality hand tools can make y...
High Schoolers Make Waves In The Studio
This summer, our second year Fuego Youth Leaders were in for a surprise. They returned to the studios, ready to get to work, only to find out they had been commissioned to create...
High Schoolers Inspire In The Studio
Our 2018 Fuego Youth Leaders blew us away with their final projects! See what they made in the studio....
I Am The Crucible: Elizabeth Holthe
Affectionately known as our “Studio Mom,” Elizabeth Holthe is one of our invaluable volunteers. We sat down with Elizabeth to learn about her search for a creative community, which...
3 Reasons to Stop Working And Take a MAKE-Cation
Studies have shown that taking time off from work makes us more creative and productive at work, and healthier and happier people. Here are three reasons to take a MAKE-cation at...
They Took Bridge Steel And Made Something To Celebrate
Crucible blacksmiths Celeste Flores, Chris Niemer, and welder Don Plumb will be worked with Scientific Art Studio to fabricate the trophy for the Bay Series between the Oakland A's...
Top Class Picks: Your Guide to Our Fall Session
212 classes are now open for registration, from old favorites to brand new classes. We broke down some of our top picks to ensure your Fall Session registration is smooth and successful!...
Pet Projects: Make Your Pet Something Special
As a community of makers, it is a given that those of us who are animals lovers would make their pets’ swag ourselves. Here are a few of our favorite projects that Crucible staff,...
The Crucible Names Tech, Arts, and Community Leader Susan Mernit Executive Director
Welcome new Executive Director Susan Mernit to The Crucible, who for many years has led tech, community, and arts organizations and initiatives in the Bay Area....
Job Opportunity: Director of Programs
We have begun our search for a new Director of Programs! The Director of Programs has the overall responsibility for the development and delivery of all public educational programs...
How To Make Mornings Special With A Unique Hand-Built Pour Over
How do you like your coffee? How about in a ceramic mug and pour over set that you hand-built yourself? In this step-by-step, you will learn how to make your own! Sign up for...
I Am The Crucible: Camille MacRae
Proudly sporting her prescription safety glasses at all times, Camille prides herself as a role model for safe shop practices. We sat down with her and her cat Rex to learn about...
Blue Ribbon Winners at Maker Faire 2018!
The Crucible took Blacksmithing forge, raku kiln, and fire down to San Mateo for Maker Faire’s 13th annual Maker Faire!...
The Crucible’s Maker Faire To-Do List!
The most ingenious minds and inventors will gather this weekend at Maker Faire! With hundreds of demonstrations and hands-on activities to choose from at Maker Faire, we selected a...
Our Favorite Bike Rides in the East Bay
With the weather getting warmer and days getting longer, we are feeling inspired to explore the beautiful East Bay by bike. We asked our volunteers, faculty, and staff where their...
Oakland Youth Catch the Creative Spark at Field Trip Day
Do you remember the first time you saw pewter liquify before your eyes, pressed your fingerprint in clay, or watched smoke rise as you wood burned your own unique design? 227...
I Am The Crucible: Marc Macdonald
Marc Macdonald has always been a fixer of the vehicles that keep us moving, from boats to cars to bikes. After retiring from the Coast Guard, Marc came to The Crucible to volunteer...
Spring Camp Photo Gallery 2018
Here are some of our favorite photos from The Crucible's 2018 Spring Camps!...
2018 Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction Photo Gallery
On April 7, The Crucible opened it’s doors for our annual Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction, a night of fire, feasting, and fundraising....
Our Favorite Photos from the Spring Open House
Our studios are still buzzing from Saturday’s Spring Open House! We had record attendance for a Spring Open House, with over 1,100 attendees, and our expert faculty gave...
Crucible Artists Bring New Life to Bay Bridge Steel
Crucible blacksmith Celeste Flores and welder Don Plumb will be working with Scientific Art Studio to fabricate the trophy for the Bay Series between the Oakland A's and SF Giants...
10 Things You Can’t Miss at our Spring Open House
We put together a list of things you cannot miss at our Spring Open House....
I Am The Crucible: Ismael Plasencia
Ismael “Iz” Plasencia first came to The Crucible to drop off his little brother for a welding class. When he saw how our Youth Programs were getting youth excited about the...
How Art Heals: Pediatric Cancer Patients Create at The Crucible
Through a partnership with the Kids & Art Foundation, we hosted fifteen young people in workshops to inspire creativity, relieve pain, and heal through art....
Leather Tooling and Painting in One Minute!
Natallia Pulko is known among The Crucible community for her quick and precise tooling skills, so we asked her to showcase her expertise in this video....
I Am The Crucible: Sheri Jurnecka
Sheri Jurnecka worked her way up at The Crucible, starting as a student, then volunteering for nine years before joining our Faculty last year. She is an expert corset maker,...
Six Easy Steps to Make Your Own Enameled Tile
Fascinated by molten glass, hot metal, and the occasional burst of flames? The art of Enameling combines all of this in one class. It is the ancient art of fusing molten glass to...
I Am The Crucible: Ralph McCaskey
Ralph McCaskey's passion for Glass Flameworking is infectious. We sat down with Ralph to catch some of his Flameworking enthusiasm and find out more about his original creations,...
Job Opportunity: Searching for The Crucible’s Next Executive Director
We have begun our search for a new Executive Director, who – together with our Board – will provide vision and leadership for our growth and development....
A Look Back on Hot Couture
In place of Hot Couture this year, we are focusing on preparing for our upcoming events and continuing to increase our investment in our educational mission to make the industrial...
The Story Behind the Big Red Caboose
You have likely seen a big red caboose parked out in our parking lot. People ask us, where does the caboose go when it’s not working our events? What goes on inside? Where did it...
Unifying The Crucible: Pre-Apprentice Program Archway
Students participating in our Pre-Apprentice Program worked with The Crucible’s Blacksmithing, Machine Shop, and Welding Departments to build an archway for the main student...
Thank you for a great 2017!
It is with a heartfelt thank you that we exit 2017. It has been a record-breaking year on many accounts....
Our Favorite Photos from GIFTY 2017
We are still riding high from GIFTY 2017 this weekend! Over 70 local artists and Crucible faculty sold their work, making for perfect holiday shopping, and our expert faculty gave...
GIFTY 2017: Our holiday celebration of local creative culture
Blog, Events, GIFTY, Open HousesFriday, December 15, 2017 • 7pm-9:30pm Saturday, December 16, 2017 • 10am-6pm Sunday, December 17, 2017 • 11am-5pm Dozens of leading East Bay artists, craftspeople, and Crucible faculty members will be selling their best handmade piec...
I Am The Crucible: Alexis Pavlantos
Alexis Pavlantos started teaching Jewelry and Foundry classes at The Crucible five years ago. Her own jewelry and sculptural work is inspired by creatures with as many legs from...
GIFTY 2017 Game Plan: A Helpful Flowchart
GIFTY will be packed with opportunities for you to shop from 60+ local vendors, eat delicious food, learn from faculty demos, create small gifts, win amazing prizes, enjoy live...
I Am The Crucible: LR Altman
LR Altman joined The Crucible’s CREATE Program in 2014. Through the CREATE Program, LR has access to the tools, equipment, and studio space to create sculptures and find a...
Lie-Nielsen Toolworks Hand Tool Event
Blog, Special Events, Tools to TableFriday, September 22, 2017 • 10am-6pm Saturday, September 23, 2017 • 10am-5pm We are hosting a free community event with Lie Nielsen Toolworks, showcasing their top-notch woodworking hand tools. Come see how quality hand tools can make...
Our Favorite Photos from the 2017 Fall Open House
We hope our 2017 Fall Open House was just as much fun for you as it was for us. Our expert faculty gave demonstrations and answered questions in nineteen different departments,...
I Am The Crucible: Peter Moore
If you have come taken a tour at The Crucible lately, you have met Peter Moore. One of our enthusiastic volunteers and a great tour guide, Peter helps Crucible visitors learn more...
See What Fuego Youth Leaders Gained for Life
Our 2017 Fuego Youth Leaders had a great summer, shadowing instructors, working as teaching assistants, visiting local industrial arts studios, and making final projects in their...
I Am The Crucible: Karl Hauser
When Karl Hauser first walked into The Crucible in 2013, he was immediately reminded of his years in art school, where he was surrounded by highly skilled people experimenting and...
I Am The Crucible: Byrd Pappas
Byrd Pappas was living in New Mexico, when on a whim, they decided to move and get involved with The Crucible and the Bay's queer metalworking community....
10 Easy Steps to Blacksmith Your Own Hook
Making a hook is the first project in Blacksmithing I, and helps students begin to develop their tapering, bending, twisting, and punching skills. This step-by-step guide shows you...
I Am The Crucible: Gabrael Bey
With 15 Crucible classes under his belt, Gabrael can proudly claim that at age 12 he has already taken more classes than the majority of Crucible students. We sat down with him to...
I Am The Crucible: Susan Berger
In her second Glass Flameworking class at The Crucible, Susan Berger’s instructor told her to forget about being a perfectionist and try to “embrace the wonk.”...
What Crucible Class Should I Take?
Want to take a Crucible class but feel overwhelmed with all the options? We have you covered....
Summer Camp Photo Gallery 2017
Here are some of our favorite photos from The Crucible's 2017 Summer Camps! This year of camps is particularly special, as twelve artist who grew up taking classes at The Crucible...
Where The Student Becomes The Teacher
Eight students who grew up participating in our Youth Programs have joined our regular faculty! Many of these new instructors were able to take classes at The Crucible because of...
I Am The Crucible: Denise Snaer-Gauder
Denise Snaer-Gauder's daughter convinced her to take Iron Casting, and once she looked down into the fire of the cupola, she knew. She was addicted....
Saying Goodbye to Carla Hall
The Crucible kicked off summer with a party, celebrating some of the new faces walking our halls, and saying goodbye to Carla Hall, our Director of Education, before she begins the...
I Am The Crucible: Alexander Zwissler
Alexander Zwissler, our new Interim Executive Director, is an accomplished man. But he's no poet. Learn more in his I Am The Crucible interview!...
Award Winners at Maker Faire 2017 + Photo Gallery!
The Crucible took our forges, furnaces, and foundry down to San Mateo for Maker Faire’s 11th annual extravaganza!...
Crucible’s Top Picks for Maker Faire 2017!
We know Maker Faire can be overwhelming, so we went around asking some of our faculty for a few of their do-not-miss Maker Faire moments....
I Am The Crucible: Katia Navidad Rallon
Katia Navidad Rallon, our Youth Program Assistant and prior Pre-Apprentice, shares how The Crucible helped her decide what she wanted to do with her life....
Free Bike Fix-A-Thons Keep Our Neighbors Moving
The Crucible opens its back gate for our highly anticipated Bike Fix-A-Thon, where volunteers and Crucible staff worked to repair and replace parts on 40 bikes for free!...
I Am The Crucible: Carmen Gambino
Carmen Gambino was planning a big move, and he discusses what made him stay, his work, his inspiration, and what he saw at The Crucible that he will never forget....
Imaginations Run Wild at Spring Camps
Twenty-eight young artists and makers, ages 8-18, visited The Crucible for our Youth Spring Camps in Glass Flameworking, Blacksmithing, and Extreme Gizmos....
I Am The Crucible: Howard Hirano
Howard Hirano, volunteer in the Bike Shop for the last four years, discusses his time at The Crucible and how tinkering can help solve our biggest problems....
2017 Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction Photo Gallery
On April 8, The Crucible opened it’s doors for our annual Fire & Light Soirée and Art Auction, a night of fire, feasting, and fundraising....
I Am The Crucible: Kristy Higares
Kristy Higares, our current Director of Administration & Strategic Initiatives, says The Crucible keeps her inspired even after eleven years....
Horse Hair and Hot Dogs at Wrap of Ceramics I
Ceramics I students finish up their class with a horse hair and American raku firing of their hand-built pottery and sculpture....
Hot Couture 2017: The Beautiful Ones
Blog, Events, Hot CoutureThursday, February 16, 2017 • 8pm Friday, February 17, 2017 • 8pm Saturday, February 18, 2017 • 8pm Sunday, February 19, 2017 • 7pm Since 2007, haute couture has been turned on its ear, Crucible-style, with Hot Couture — a spectacu...
Steel Sculpture Class Recap
Visiting artists Rachel David and Ben Beemes led a class in forging and fabricating a steel sculpture in The Crucible's Blacksmithing department....
